Ryu Kobayashi, Japan's ace ski jumper, faced difficulties in regaining his 'flying form' at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, resulting in an underwhelming performance despite high hopes. In the new 'super mixed team' event, which features two jumpers each taking three turns, Japan aimed to leverage the momentum built by Ren Nikaido, who earned three medals in the competition. However, Kobayashi's delayed takeoff resulted in a disappointing jump of only 129 meters, significantly impacting the team's chances in this crucial competition.

Prior to the Olympics, Kobayashi struggled with an unstable jump posture that caused him to fall out of the top ten in the World Cup for the first time this season. Attempts to quickly regain his flying form were unsuccessful, and he could not deliver a stable jump throughout the competition. During the individual events, Kobayashi had previously won two medals at the Beijing Olympics, yet this time finished without any. Even in the mixed team event, where Japan secured its first-ever bronze medal, Kobayashi's contribution fell short of expectations.

Following the competition, Kobayashi reflected on his season, admitting that he felt a lack of momentum. The key to his potential resurgence lies in whether he can successfully return to his 'flying form' in the remaining season. Japan, which had entered the Olympics as a strong contender, finished in sixth place after struggling in the preliminary rounds, a disappointing outcome for the team and fans alike.